: Ironic though it may seem, the state, where people are known by their mother’s names, also records the highest number of female mortality cases. Matrilineal Meghalaya has a higher rate of female mortality compared to the national average according to statics available with the authorities concerned.The mortality rate among women in the state is 450 per lakh against the national average of 407 deaths per lakh every year. However, infant mortality rate is relatively less in Meghalaya stated TOI.“Inadequate facilities, especially in the rural health service sector compel delivery at home, which often proves to be risky for mothers and also newborns,” a survey conducted by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) revealed.Lack of facilities for post-natal care and medical check-ups is also results in death of many.“Women living in remote rural areas have to travel long distances and cover difficult terrain to avail basic healthcare facilities in the hill state,” said a state health official.The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India had also pointed out severe lapses in basic healthcare services in Meghalaya.Shortcomings have been noticed in coverage of rural population under healthcare schemes in different districts of the state, a CAG report had revealed. The ratio of health sub-centres (HSCs) to primary health centres (PHCs) is 4:1 in Meghalaya against the prescribed ratio of 6:1.“The state health department has failed to provide basic infrastructure and healthcare facilities to the PHCs and Community Health Centres (CHCs) and deprived the rural population of the benefit of indoor treatment facilities,” noted a CAG report.The Union ministry of health and family welfare had drawn up time-bound target with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to reduce the incidence of diseases affecting the masses, including those which mother and new borns are most prone to.The NRHM lays special focus on 18 states of the country which have shown weak public health indicators or poor infrastructure. The 18 states includes all the northeastern states.